John 5:31

More Testimony About Jesus

5:31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.

John 6:62

6:62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending where he was before? ¹ 

John 8:36

8:36 So if the son ²  sets you free, you will be really free.

John 12:32

12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people ³  to myself.”

John 13:17

13:17 If you understand ⁴  these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 14:14-15

14:14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Teaching on the Holy Spirit

14:15 “If you love me, you will obey ⁵  my commandments. ⁶ 

John 15:14

15:14 You are my friends ⁷  if you do what I command you.

[6:62]  ¹ tn Or “he was formerly?”

[8:36]  ¹ tn Or “Son.” The question is whether “son” is to be understood as a direct reference to Jesus himself, or as an indirect reference (a continuation of the generic illustration begun in the previous verse).

[12:32]  ¹ tn Grk “all.” The word “people” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for stylistic reasons and for clarity (cf. KJV “all men”).

[13:17]  ¹ tn Grk “If you know.”

[14:15]  ¹ tn Or “will keep.”

[14:15]  ² sn Jesus’ statement If you love me, you will obey my commandments provides the transition between the promises of answered prayer which Jesus makes to his disciples in vv. 13-14 and the promise of the Holy Spirit which is introduced in v. 16. Obedience is the proof of genuine love.

[15:14]  ¹ sn This verse really explains John 15:10 in another way. Those who keep Jesus’ commandments are called his friends, those friends for whom he lays down his life (v. 13). It is possible to understand this verse as referring to a smaller group within Christianity as a whole, perhaps only the apostles who were present when Jesus spoke these words. Some have supported this by comparing it to the small group of associates and advisers to the Roman Emperor who were called “Friends of the Emperor.” Others would see these words as addressed only to those Christians who as disciples were obedient to Jesus. In either case the result would be to create a sort of “inner circle” of Christians who are more privileged than mere “believers” or average Christians. In context, it seems clear that Jesus’ words must be addressed to all true Christians, not just some narrower category of believers, because Jesus’ sacrificial death, which is his act of love toward his friends (v. 13) applies to all Christians equally (cf. John 13:1).